Load limiting collection apparatus



1950 L. 6. SMITH ETAL 96,180

LOAD LIMITING COLLECTION APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1945 2 -SheetsSheet 1 INVEN TOR. 15375 C. .S'M/ TH. BY 'W/Laun' V. Pfl/NE.

TORNEK Jan. 31, 1950 LOAD LIMITING COLLECTION APPARATUS Filed Oct. 10, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 romvzx L c. SMITH ETAL 2,496,180

Patented Jan. 31, 1950 LOAD LIMITING COLLECTION APPARATUS LesterC. SmithjWest Hartford, and Wilbur V. Paine, East Hartford, Conn., assignors to The Spencer Turbine Com Conn, a corporation of pany, West Hartford, Connecticut Application October 10, 1945, Serial No. 621,436

7 Claims. (Cl. 18336) 1 a This invention relates to a load-limiting' collection apparatus and more specifically to' such an apparatus which may be embodied as one example of a field of use, in vacuum cleaning equipment for reception of the dust and kindred-inatter, to the endthat the operator will be apprised of such fact and must empty the apparatus. Such novel feature is advantageous also in limitingthe quantity of material to be handled at one time, toprevent overloadinggenerally, and espe cially to attain such ends where the material is hazardousfrom the standpoints of fire and explosion. I

It is a prime object to provide in vacuum-cleaning equipment or the equivalent, a means for reception of the dust, which is under operative control of theweight of the collected dust and kindre'd matter.

"Another object is to provide such a collecting means which is under equal suction at all points and which is mounted for expeditious displacement for emptying. 7 r "A further object is to provide such an apparatus wherein the receptacle is supported by resilient means above a closed switch connected in the ch; cuit of the vacuum-producing means; and which receptacle lowers against the tensionof the resilient means under a predetermined weight of material therein to open the switch and thereby stop operation of the apparatus and prevent resumption of operation untilthe receptacle has beenemptied. I g i One more object is to provide a collecting re ceptacle of the nature described which is removably suspended below the dustfgeparating chamber of the vacuum cleaner, in position for separated dust to fall into the same,-;and which receptacle has a separable electrical connection to theswitch controlled thereby.

Various additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment b way of example.

,I' vIn said drawings:

. Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly broken,

to disclose'fdetails, of vacuum cleaner equipment embodying my invention l 1 Figure 2 is a ,plan view, partly broken away; showing the collection receptacle able mounting or supporting casing;

{ Figure 3 is a diametric sectionalwiew through the parts" of Figure 2; I Figure 4' is a fragmentary cross-sectional view} partly illustrating in plan, the means'which slid and its detachably mounts said receptacle supporting means or casing.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or similar parts throughout the different views, one field of use for the present "invention is in connection with vacuum cleaning equipment. No limitation to such a particular use, however, .is to be in ferred. At shown which is of a mobile and portable nature, the same for instance having a frame ll mounted on wheels for pushing by a handle bar l3. The vacuum producing mechanism is conventional as disclosed at I 4 and is adapted to be operated by a V-belt drive l5 from an electric motor "5 carried by frame I l. A conventional dust separating mechanism I1 is mounted on the frame within a suit able cylindrical or other casing 18 preferably equipped with a removable cover at Ill. The lower end of the casing I 8 terminates a distance above the floor line and adjacent the lower end of the casing I8 is an inlet 20 for separating mechanism H. The 'exhaustdiiiuser, in com munication with the separating mechanism I1 is indicated at 2|. A "starter switch mechanism 22, which may be or any preferred type, is carried by the frame 'I I and isadapted to be connected in any suitablesource of electric current, usually by a conventional f plug and socket. Switch 22 is in the electric circuit of motor' l6 so that the opening and closing of the switch 22 will correspondingly stop and start the operation of the motor l8 and accordingly'oi the vacuum Gil . producing means.

The arrangement of the casing l8 with the separating mechanism therein, is in accordance with the present invention. In further carrying out theinvention, a cylindrical container or support is provided at 23 an'd a dust collecting receptacle 24 is contained therei It will be noted that the container or support 23 is in the form of a bucket since it is closed at the bottom and open at the top. Surrounding the top or upper edge of container orsupport 23 is an outwardly extending rim 25. Securedrig idly inany suitable manner to the lower edge of the casing or chamber In of the dust and air separating mechanism, is a semi-circular track frame 26 which is open at one end at 2! and has on-opposite' sides of the opening inwardly leading flanges'or tracks 28/ As a result. the container or support 23 is adapted by sliding movement,'to "be aligned wltlia'nd v track 2 6 on the casing l 8' throughthe engagement I0, vacuum cleaning equipment is l 2. and adapted to be manually engaged suspended from theof the rim 25 with the track elements. At the same time, due to the open end 21, container or supporting means 23 may be completely detached from the casing l8. Any suitable means may be employed to secure the casing 23 in suspended position. For instance, as shown, such means may take the form of one or more levers29 journalled at'30 on theframe 26 and equipped with suitable cams 3| for binding engagement against the surface of the rim 25 at opposite sides thereof.

Carried by the container or support .23 andremovably applicable to and replaceable within'the same through the upper end, when'the latter is detached from casing I8, is the aforesaid dust collecting receptacle 24, of any desired configuration and size, the same preferably being impervious and closed at the bottom, equipped with interior handles as at 33 adjacent the open top. I

Collection receptacle 24 is supported by resilient means or 'any'equivalent at 34. Thismeans may take the form of a generally conical coil spring 35 positioned centrallyof the-base ofcontainer23 andrnounted' forzinstance within a shallow pan 35 se'curedtosuch base; Spring 35 mounts for adjustment as to height,=a stud 31 on which dust collecting receptacle 24'directly rests. Stud 31 is screw-threaded throughout itsdength and the screw-threads are engaged by adjustable nuts 38 respectively, contacting washers and 140, respectively gripping the-upper and lowersurfacesof the'upper coil of-th spring35. .In this manner, the nuts and washersbind the'stud31 to the coil spring :35- and also enable adjustment of the stud'3'l asto height to vary the tension of the spring in order to accommodate different loads or weights of dust'within receptacle fl.

Spring 3.5 and the-adjustment of the stud .31 therefore are inactive under a load within the receptacle 24 at and above a predetermined weight. Under such predetermined weight, .receptacle 24 will lower or move-downwardly and rest upon one or more stops or abutments 4i rigidonandrising from the bOttOmiOf the casing or support :23

Particular attention is'called to the fact that the electric conductors.or wires for the: motor [6 passing throughthe starter switch 22, includes a conductor section'42 which'leads to the starter 22, has a'conventional plug- 43' at its lower terminal which is separably engageable with a recep tacle or socket 44,alsoiconventional, and which conductors also -including conventional electric switch 45=directly connected toiand associated with the receptacle 44, It will be noted that receptacle 44 is-iattached tothe 'wall of casing 2-3 and that the switch 451s mounted within and on (the base \of such-receptacle 23; Switch 245- has .a depressible plunger 46 which normally opens.the-switchz45, The upper end of plungerdli;isdisposed below the bottom of the dust collection receptacle-24 and 1 hence below the upper extremity of'the stud-31 so that the downward movement I of dust collecting-z receptacle 124 under a predetermined weight, before suchreceptacle rests on the stopsA-l, will engage the upper end I of plunger 146L- andr slider-it downwardly. rand thereby open the switch 3 .45.

'As a resultof the action described, .receptacle 24,'under a predetermined weight, will open the switch-.45 and thus'open the :circuit .to the motor i6, :cutting "off 'or stopping Operation of the-vacuumproducing;mechanism -44; .I-t isthus necessary forthe operator toiempty ftherreceptacla 2.4 before .he can. resume ioperation :of, the maopen-at the top and 3 starting switch 22,

container or support 23, and the latter is theremovement detached from the Thereafter, through engageupon by sliding track frame 26.

'ment with the-handles the dust collecting receptacle 24 is lifted from container'23, emptied, and replaced, whereupon container 23 with rece'p "tacle 24 therein is restored to the track frame 25, clamped in place by the lever 29 and the plug 43 inserted into th receptacle 44. Upon the apparatus is ready for use.

" track elements on It will ben'oted that since the upper end of receptacle 24 is open, with the inlet 20 above the same and the entrance to the dust and air separating mechanism I! at the bottom and directly over the open end suction about the receptacle 24 is equal at all points,

Various changes may be resorted to without-departing from the spiritand' scope-ofv-theinvention What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus having an electric motor, vacuum producing means .operated by the motorcomprising an elevated dust Tand air. separating-.mechanism including a-casing,. said casing being open at the bottom and having an inlet adjacentthereto for IGCBPtlODzOfdllSt andiair, a support separably connected to and suspended from saidcasing, a dust collectingxreceptacle. removably-.disposed in said support, a switch within and carried bysaid support, yieldablemeans normally maintaining the dust :coliecting receptacle above the switch-and preventing lowering of-thetlatter to actuate the switch inthe absenceot a predetermined load, separating circuit meansfor the motor including a separableconnectionitosaid support and switch, means detachably connectingzthe support and casing and comprising track ele ments on one of them and means onzthe other slidably engaging said track elements, "asdevice to secure the support and casingtogether against accidental detachment of the 'former andstop means on which the dust receptacle is adapted to rest in lowermost position. I

2. Apparatus having an electric'motor, vacuum producing means operated by'the motor 'coni prising anelevated dust and air separating mech anism including a casing, said casing being 'open' at the bottom and having an inlet adjacent'th'ereto for reception of'dust and air,'a support'separably connected to and suspended from saidcasing, .a dust collecting receptacle removabl-y disposed in said support, a switch within and carried by said support, yieldable means normally maintaining the dustcollectingrecepta ole above theswitch and preventing lowering of the latter to actuate the switch in the absence of a predetermined load, separating circuit means for the motor including a separable connection to said support and switch, means detachably connecting the support and casing comprising one of them and means onthe other slidably engaging said track elements, "a device to secure the support and fcasingtogether' against accidental detachment of the former, and" said elements, and handle means for the receptacle located interiorly of the latter.

3. In a material collecting apparatus of the character described, a casing, a screen in said casing, a receptacle having an open top and disposed underneath said screen for receiving material dropping therefrom, means for yieldingly supporting said receptacle at the bottom thereof, mechanism for producing a partial vacuum within said casing, a motor for driving said mechanism, and a switch below the receptacle and normally spaced therefrom by said yieldable supporting means and operable by said receptacle upon the accumulation of material therein to a predetermined weight for controlling said motor.

4. In a material collecting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a casing, a screen in said casing, a receptacle positioned under said screen and movable independently thereof, yieldable means beneath the receptacle comprising a spring member for supporting said receptacle, mechanism for producing a partial vacuum in said casing, a motor for driving said mechanism, an electric switch operable by a predetermined extent of movement of said receptacle for controlling said motor, and means associated with said spring member for varying the required length of movement of said receptacle for the operation of said switch to thereby permit adjustment for the operation of the switch in response to different weights of material in said receptacle.

5. In a material collecting apparatus of the character described, the combination of a casing, a screen in said casing, a container detachably secured and sealed to said casing, below said screen, mechanism for producing a partial vacuum in said casing, a motor for driving said mechanism, an electric switch mounted upon the bottom of said container for controlling said motor, yieldable supporting means on said bottom, and a receptacle mounted on said yieldable supporting means above said switch and freely movable in said container independently of the screen for operating said switch.

6. A material collecting apparatus having an electric motor, vacuum producing means operated by the motor comprising an elevated dust and air separating mechanism including a caslng open at the bottom and having an inlet adjacent thereto for the reception of the dust and air, a. support slidably connected to and suspended from said casing, a dust collecting receptacle remcvably disposed in said support, a switch beneath said receptacle and carried by said support, and yieldable means beneath the receptacle for the support thereof and normally maintaining the dust collecting receptacle above the switch and permitting lowering of the receptacle to actuate the switch upon the accumulation of a predetermined load in said receptacle.

7. A material collecting apparatus having an electric motor, vacuum producing means operated by the motor comprising an elevated dust and air separating mechanism including a casing open at the bottom and having an inlet adjacent thereto for the reception of the dust and air, a support slidably connected to and suspended from said casing, a dust collecting receptacle removably disposed in said support, a switch under said receptacle and carried by said support, yieldable means engaged with the bottom of said receptacle for normally maintaining the receptacle above the switch and permitting lowering of the latter to actuate the switch upon the accumulation of a predetermined load in said receptacle,

and stop means in said support on which the dust receptacle is adapted to rest in its lowermost position.

LESTER C. SMITH. WILBUR V. PAINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,771,852 Lorentz July 29, 1930 1,874,025 Clapp Aug. 30, 1932 1,991,859 Lofgren Feb. 19, 1935 2,044,827 Adams June 23, 1936 2,045,496 Skinner June 23, 1936 2,117,368 Sellers May 17, 1938 2,174,604 Smellie Oct. 3, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 310,985 Great Britain Apr. 30, 1929 

